Overview
The Rolleiflex Hy6 is a next-generation medium format camera body, based on the long experience Franke & Heidecke acquired with the successful Rolleiflex 6000 series. The new system is based on a cooperation between Braunschweig, Germany based Franke & Heidecke and Feuerthalen, Switzerland based Sinar AG (owned by Jena, Germany based Jenoptik). The Hy6 embodies the technological know-how, precision engineering and manufacturing of three world-renowned companies whose single objective was to create a medium-format camera system that is intuitive in design and second to none in performance. F&H and Sinar were joined by Tel Aviv, Israel based Leaf (owned by Kodak), who sells the camera under the name "AFi" together with its Aptus digital backs.
Most of the development was financed by Jenoptik/Sinar (about 4 mio €), who provided the electronics while Franke & Heidecke developed the mechanics. The camera's parts are constructed by F&H and by German sub-assembly companies. Whatever the camera's name, all are assembled by F&H in its Braunschweig factory before they are delivered to Sinar and Leaf for final adjustments with their respective digital backs.
Hy6 prototypes were presented at Photokina 2006 and received the Photokina Star 2006 award for most outstanding new product. Designed to capture images using both digital and conventional film backs, the Hy6 offers photographers a true 6×6 cm medium-format size with the flexibility of a 4.5×6 cm camera. In mid-2007 the first cameras were delivered to Sinar and Leaf for final testing. They became available to customers towards the end of 2007. The Hy6 received the TIPA award 2008 for "best medium-format digital system".
In contrast to Hasselblad's decision to turn its H line, starting with the H3D, into a closed system connecting only to its proprietary Hasselblad/Imacon digital backs, the Hy6 is opened to both Sinar and Leaf digital backs. However, as PhaseOne does not participate in the joint project, its digital backs do not connect to the Hy6. Instead, PhaseOne combined efforts with Mamiya, another medium format camera company.
The Hy6 ("Hy" for "hybrid") is based on an “open system” design and can easily adapt to advancements in future chip technology by allowing the insertion of larger (higher-resolution) image sensors of up to 56×56 mm, which is physically impossible with the 645-type of medium format cameras such as Hasselblad H or Mamiya/PhaseOne 645.
It is an evolutionary extension of the 6008 AF, but with new features such as the open system user interface, a new focus detector, which is able to focus under difficult lighting conditions, and a lithium-ion battery that can be recharged without having to worry about memory loss. The height of the Hy6 is lower than the 6008 AF since the motor-drive is removed from the body and the new battery is located in the hand grip. This makes the system both more compact and lighter.
Both Sinar and Leaf offer the capability of turning digital backs from horizontal into vertical position. This is also possible with the Rolleiflex 4560 film back. The advantage is that the camera can be held in the same position regardless of whether one is making horizontal or vertical shots, unlike with typical 645-type medium format cameras. The 6008 AF offers the same capability with the Rolleiflex 4560 film back and Sinar eMotion digital backs with revolving adapter.
Differences between the Rolleiflex 6008 AF and the Hy6 / AFi
- no built-in motor drive, which reduces size and saves weight. Instead, the necessary motor drives are integrated in the film backs (not needed with digital backs)
- an autofocus system with improved sensitivity (cross-type sensor instead of H-sensor), including with infrared beam in low light; focus-trap and focus-bracketing
- a rechargeable power supply: a stock lithium-ion instead of a proprietary and more expensive NiCad battery
- a permanent handgrip containing the battery and LCD screen, instead of a removable one. It can be clicked in 4 different positions for optimal use with different viewfinders
- an LCD screen displaying the essential information
- an integrated RGB sensor for automatic white balance in connection with digital backs
- a better integration with digital backs (including EXIF data)
- the ability to use Schneider AFD lenses in addition to Schneider AF and non-AF Schneider and Zeiss lenses. The 6008 AF cannot use AFD lenses as these do not have an aperture ring (the 6008 AF requires the aperture to be set on the lens instead of on the body)
Compatibility with the Rolleiflex 6000 series system
- the Schneider AF lenses, as well as non-AF Schneider and Zeiss lenses, can be used on condition they are of the PQ (Professional Quality) or PQS type (allowing 1/1000 sec shutter speed with the DirectDrive mechanism)
- the 600X series 4560 film back can be used as it has a built-in motordrive, but a new adaptor is needed
- the interchangeable screens for the ground glass can be used
- the extension tubes, the extension bellows and retro-adaptor can be used
- the 1.4X and 2X teleconvertors can be used
- the 600X series prism finders and waist level finders cannot be used (but prism finders can be converted) - Hy6 specific models exist
- the 600X series release cables and other electronic units cannot be used - Hy6 specific models exist
- the 600X series 6060 film back cannot be used as it lacks a built-in motordrive
Differences between the Hy6 / AFi variants
- the Rolleiflex Hy6 is standard equiped with a film back (4560 or the newly developed 6060 model) and can be fitted with Sinar and Leaf digital backs. The Sinar and Leaf models are sold in bundles with their respective digital backs (but can also be used with the Rollei film backs). The Sinar and Leaf backs can be used on all Hy6 variants.
- a different power management. The Hy6 and AFi use different types of batteries, which are mechanically different and thus not interchangeable: the Hy6 uses connector pins, while the AFi has flat contacts. The Sinar batteries match the Sinar digital backs, and the Leaf batteries match the Leaf digital backs. However, the Sinar back is powered through its own battery, while the Leaf AFi back can be operated from a single battery in the camera body, or with dual batteries for more autonomy (body+back).
- The digital back on the Leaf AFi is switched on and off through the main switch on the camera body. Sinar digital backs are less integrated and need to be switched on and off in addition to the main switch on the camera body.
- Sinar offers an optional revolving adapter, which enables the digital back to be turned from landscape into portrait mode without unmounting. Earlier Leaf backs (such as first AFi series as well as the AFi-II 6) need to be unmounted and turned. The latest Leaf digital backs (AFi-II 7 and 10) offer a built-in Verto internal sensor rotation without unmounting the back. The 4560 film magazine needs to be unmounted and turned. A built-in protection only enables this to be carried out when the laminar drawslide is closed.
- The Leaf Capture software is available in both Macintosh and Windows versions, while Sinar CaptureShop and eXposure are only available for Macintosh. The Leaf AFi is also supported by PhaseOne CaptureOne software as from v.5 (Macintosh and Windows versions), as well as by the Leaf Raw Convertor (Macintosh and Windows versions) for those using other imaging programs that do not recognize the Leaf Raw format.
Available versions
- Rolleiflex Hy6 with 6045 or 6060 film back
- Sinar
Hy6 65 and s65r - 31 Megapixel (Kodak sensor 44x33 mm with microlenses) with 3" display
Sinar Hy6-e75 - 33 Megapixel (Dalsa sensor 48x36 mm) with 2,2" display
Sinar Hy6-e54 - 21 Megapixel (Dalsa sensor 48x36 mm) with 2,2" display
Sinar Hy6-m54 - 22 Megapixel (Dalsa sensor 48x36,7 mm) without display
- Leaf AFi 10 - 56 Megapixel (Dalsa sensor 56x36 mm) and AFi-II 10 with tilting LCD touch screen
Leaf
AFi 7 - 33 Megapixel (Dalsa sensor 48x36 mm) and AFi-II 7 with tilting LCD touch screen
Leaf AFi 6 - 28 Megapixel (Dalsa sensor 44x33 mm) and AFi-II 6 with tilting LCD touch screen
Leaf AFi 5 - 22 Megapixel (Dalsa sensor 48x36 mm)
All Leaf digital backs come with a 3,5" display
Historical note: at Photokina 2008 Sinar and Leaf announced an agreement to expand their technological cooperation whereby Sinar was also offering Leaf's latest and technologically more advanced AFi-II digital backs with ultra wide sensors to its customers. However, this agreement became moot due to later developments (see further below).
- The Leaf Aptus-II 12 - 80 Megapixel (Dalsa sensor 53,7x40,3 mm) digital back is also available in a Hy6/AFi mount. This back is identical to the AFi-II series backs (rotating sensor and tilting LCD touch screen) with the exception of the higher resolution sensor.
- Leaf is offering its latest Credo digital back series also in Hy6/AFi mount. However, this back does not have the internal rotating sensor or the tilting screen of the AFi-II series. On the plus side, it supports live view. It exists in three variants:
Leaf Credo 40 Megapixel variant (Dalsa sensor 43,9x32,9 mm)
Leaf Credo 60 Megapixel variant (Dalsa sensor 53x40,4 mm)
Leaf Credo 80 Megapixel variant (Dalsa sensor 53,7x40,4 mm)
The new Hy6 Mod 2 announced at Photokina 2012
At Photokina 2012 DHW Fototechnik announced that the legal uncertainty surrounding the ownership of the Hy6/AFi camera had been settled with Leaf Imaging Ltd. (see below under history of development and production for more background). As a result DHW now has obtained the legal rights to further production and development of the camera system. It has immediately announced a Model 2 version of the Hy6 (note that the name "AFi" is no longer used for future products as this name was linked to Leaf). The new Hy6 Mod 2 will be completely in black (note: this is only for newly built cameras. Upgrades to existing camera bodies will not include replacing the existing colored body parts). The new camera model offers a number of small improvements to the original Hy6 both in terms of hard- and software (see below under Firmware updates). At the same time, however, only digital backs supplied by Leaf will be compatible with the Hy6 Mod 2.
Further history of production of the Hy6/AFi camera - a story of ups and downs
Jenoptik specializes in photonics and mechatronics technologies. The company's core competency is putting light to use as an industrial tool. Jenoptik is active in the four areas of lasers, optics, sensors and mechatronics. Beyond its expertise in professional photography, Jenoptik is also active in the area of scientific photography. Through its subsidiary Robot Visual Systems, based near Düsseldorf (Germany), Jenoptik has been instrumental in successfully implementing the transition from wet film to digital technology for traffic safety technology. Thanks to its state-of-the-art digital cameras developed for use in traffic safety, Jenoptik has become one of the world's leading providers of this technology. Jenoptik acquired 100% of Sinar AG shares in 2007.
Franke & Heidecke GmbH Feinmechanik und Optik developed, manufactured and distributed the Rolleiflex brand of professional camera systems as well as Rolleivision slide projectors. Additional fields of activity of the Braunschweig (Germany) company were the production of precision-mechanical and optical components, high-performance lenses and prototypes, as well as the development of custom-tailored optical solutions. In the fall of 2005, Franke & Heidecke became the successor to Rollei Produktion GmbH. The name of the company went back to the inventors of the legendary twin-lens “Rolleiflex,” Paul Franke and Reinhold Heidecke. As a surprise and notwithstanding the strong demand for its products (in particular the Hy6 / AFi camera), Franke & Heidecke filed for insolvency on 27 February 2009. Though several investments had been made it appeared impossible to cope with historic liabilities. Production continued till the end of April 2009. In order to further cut costs, many employees were sent on temporary leave of absence. All 131 employees received their letter of termination on 30 June 2009. However, a number of employees remained at the factory throughout October 2009, in particular those responsible for back-orders and servicing. On 22 November 2009 a successor company, DHW Fototechnik, was created (read article in German and in English) with fewer staff but at the same location in the Salzdahlumer Strasse 196 in Braunschweig. The new company started with 30 staff but steadily increased its staff over the next years. Most production related to slide projectors and twin-lens Rolleiflex cameras, as well as the classic Rollei 35 camera on demand (read article in German). DHW Fototechnik continued to sell the Hy6 camera from existing stock, as well as the Hy6/AFi system components, and has been working on further developments including new lenses and accessories. New production of the Hy6 could not take place given uncertainty over the intellectual property rights on the camera design, which apparently belonged to Leaf Imaging Ltd. (read article in German). It was the stated goal of DHW to obtain the intellectual property rights over the Hy6 camera design, which would enable further fine-tuning and development of the system, as well as new production of the camera body. See this article in the British Journal of Photography for positive news on DHW Fototechnik at the time of Photokina 2010. This article in the German photo magazine Fotomagazin of November 2010 shares some interesting information on the new company DHW Fototechnik, including a number of images of the people involved in it (in German). The initials DHW stand for the names of the company's three board members: Rolf Daus (head of lens assembly), Katharina Hartje (head of sales and personnel), and Frank Will (head of camera assembly). Hans Hartje is the company's CEO. In a breakthrough DHW Fototechnik was able to settle the intellection property ownership issue with Leaf in time for Photokina 2012 and now detains the legal rights to further production and development of the camera body. It has immediately announced production of an updated model of the Hy6, the Hy6 Mod 2, with a number of hard- and software improvements. The good news is also that current Hy6 / AFi owners can update their camera body to Mod 2 specifications as well. The techically probably most advanced medium format camera system has thus been given a fresh rebirth.
Meanwhile, after the demise at Franke & Heidecke and the start of DHW Fototechnik the situation at Leaf had drastically changed. On 25 June 2009 PhaseOne and senior Leaf management agreed to set up a joint company, Leaf Imaging Ltd, taking over most of the Leaf assets (parent company Kodak had already for some time been looking at options to sell off Leaf). The longer term effects of this new development were unclear for a number of years and while the new company stated that it was further considering its options regarding the AFi, it was obvious that its heart was no longer with it. As PhaseOne already had a strategic alliance with Mamiya, the AFi would have constituted an additional platform. Many users called upon Leaf Imaging to continue the AFi line through a petition on the web. However, the new Leaf Imaging Ltd company is offering its digital Aptus-II 12 back in an Hy6/AFi mount retaining the AFi-II typical rotating sensor and tilting LCD screen, and also takes orders for its latest Credo digital backs with a Hy6/AFi mount. Rather than continuing itself the further development of the AFi system Leaf Imaging Ltd. decided to grant a number of legal rights to DHW Fototechnik in 2012, thus allowing for a revival of the Hy6 platform. Note that the name AFi is no longer used for new production and only refers to the older production by Franke & Heidecke for Leaf. In January 2012 Leaf Imaging Ltd merged with Mamiya Digital Imaging (both brands belonging to the PhaseOne group) and became known as Mamiya Leaf.
Concurrent with the demise of Franke & Heidecke and the events at Leaf, the Hy6 system remained a significant line of business for Sinar. After the decision by parent company Jenoptik to withdraw from medium-format photography in August 2009, Sinar Photography AG announced it was taking over development, sales, service and support divisions for the Sinar brand products. Service and support, including for the Sinar Hy6 and Leaf AFi models, continued to be performed by Sinar, in addition to DHW. Since Leica Camera's acquisition of Sinar in 2013, however, this arrangement has ended. Servicing on Hy6 and AFi cameras (not the digital backs) continues to be performed by DHW Fototechnik.
Somewhat unexpectedly, DHW Fototechnik filed for insolvency on 15 August 2014. The company's tools were auctioned by the end of April 2015, with the exception of know-how and semi-finished products, which are sold separately. These would enable another smaller production startup, as well as servicing of Rolleiflex products.
A new company called DW Photo GmbH was set up in May 2015 by a number of former staff from DHW Fototechnik, and will be continuing to sell new cameras, lenses and accessories from stock. It also has the intention of further producing the Hy6 and Twin Lens Reflex camera systems (but no longer the legendary Rollei 35 compact camera and the Rollei 35mm and 6x6 slide projectors, for which demand has greatly subsided). Information about the new DW Photo in German can be found here as well as here. A major marketing challenge is the fact that the legal rights to the name "Rollei" and "Rolleiflex" are detained by the Hamburg-based Rollei GmbH & Co KG (former RCP-Technik GmbH) and the demanded name licensing fee would allegedly be steep. The latter company, while presenting itself with references to the historic Rollei legacy, is selling digital photo equipment for the consumer segment manufactured in the Far East, which bears no product relation with the traditional 35mm and medium-format camera systems.
Technical Data
Camera type
Single-lens reflex autofocus camera with multiple automatic exposure control, variable metering pattern, TTL autoflash (SCA-3000) and motorized film advance in conjunction with type 4560 or 6060 magazine.
Autofocus
1. Cross-type autofocus sensor
2. Integral red-light grid projector for automatic focusing in low light
3. Non-AF Rolleiflex-6008-compatible lenses can be used with focus indicator
Analog negative sizes
4.5x6 cm and 6x6 cm (the latter under development)
Film sizes
Size 120 and 220 roll film for 16 or 32 exposures in 4.5 x 6cm format
Film speed
ISO 25/15° to 6400/39° can be set in 1/3 increments on interchangeable magazine
Shutter
Electronically controlled between-the-lens shutter with speeds from 1/1000 s (with PQS lenses) to 32 s plus B
Exposure-metering modes
1. Multi-zone metering
2. Center-weighted multi-zone metering
3. Spot metering via central photodiode (approx. 1% of 6 x 6cm format)
4. Automatic compensation of extraneous light during metering
5. Integral RGB sensor for automatic white balance in digital photography
Exposure modes
1. Shutter-speed priority AE
2. Aperture-priority AE
3. Programmed AE biased for high speeds
4. Metered manual in 1/3 increments
Operating ranges
1. Exposure metering: EV 0 to EV 19 at ISO 100/21° with 80mm f/2.8 lens
2. Autofocusing: EV 1 to EV 19 at ISO 100/21° with 80mm f/2.8 lens
3. TTL flash ISO 25 – 1600
AE lock
1. Operational in all automatic modes
2. Locks exposure value (EV) of shutter speed and aperture
Exposure compensation
1. Manual in 1/3 increments from -5 to +5 EV
2. Via auto bracketing in 1/3, 2/3 and 1EV increments
Autoflash
1. TTL flash metering in film or sensor plane
2. Flash-ready display in viewfinder
3. Optional automatic flash firing with Metz flash units in low light
4. Additive fill flash
5. TTL flash metering with studio flash units
Flash synchronization
1. At any shutter speed from 1/1000 s to 32 s
2. Hot shoe with center contact and contacts for Metz flash units
3. SCA-3002 interface via Rollei SCA-3562 Adapter
Multiple exposures
By electronic suppression of film advance, without image viewing when used with film magazine
Reflex mirror
Prelockable instant-return mirror with motorized direct drive, with partially transmitting multicoating
Viewfinder system
1. Standard folding finderhood with collapsible magnifier
2. Interchangeable for telescopic 90° high-eyepoint viewfinder or 45° prism finder
3. Interchangeable focusing screen
Super-bright High-D screen (standard equipment)
Viewfinder information
1. Illuminated viewfinder LCD for focusing status, shutter speed and aperture (1/3 increments)
2. Manual metering
3. Exposure compensation
4. Metering mode
5. Flash readiness
6. Film speed
7. Custom functions
8.
Frame counter
9. Horizontal or vertical format with 4.5 x 6 cm
10. Battery status
Film advance
1. Automatic film advance by high-performance motor in film magazine
2. Single frames and continuous shooting with up to 1.5 fps
3. Automatic film prewinding to first frame
4. Automatic film winding after exposure of last frame
Power supply
Rechargeable high-performance lithium-ion battery, 7.2 V, 2200 mAh.
Handgrip with LC display
1. With four click stops (for use with folding finderhood, 45° or 90° viewfinder)
2. Detachable leather wrist strap
Interchangeable film magazines
1. Type 4560 film magazine for 4.5 x 6 cm with integral laminar drawslide, frame counter, film-speed setting, film-type display and preloadable film insert
2. Type 6060 film magazine for 6 x 6 cm with the same characteristics as the 4560 film magazine
Custom functions and basic menu settings
1. Leading or trailing sync
2. Self-timer
3. Auto bracketing
4. Frame-counter display vertical/horizontal with type 4560 film magazine
Interfaces
1. Digital-back interface
2. Screw-type 8-pole universal connector for electrical cable release and other electronic accessories
3. Mini-USB port for firmware updates and servicing
Tripod quick-release adapter (for Novoflex Q-Base)
With 1/4” and 3/8” tripod sockets.
Compatible digital backs
◆ Sinarback eSprit 65
◆ Sinarback eMotion 22 / 54 / 75
◆ Sinarback eVolution 75 H
◆ Sinarback 54 MC / M
◆ Leaf AFi backs
Compatible lenses
1. Schneider Digital AFD 50, 80, 150, 180, Zoom 60 – 140 as well as AFD-Flektogon 35
2. All PQ/PQS lenses compatible with Rolleiflex 6000 cameras
Dimensions (mm)
◆ Camera body: 157 x 112 x 78
◆ 80mm f/2.8 lens: 67 x 90
◆ Type 4560 film magazine: 88 x 86 x 50
◆ Digital backs: See manufacturer’s data
Weight (g)
◆ Camera body incl. battery: 990
◆ 80mm f/2.8 lens: 500
◆ Type 4560 film magazine: 330
◆ Digital backs: See manufacturer’s data |
A TTL flash is attached to the camera and is ready
A TTL flash is attached to the camera and is not ready